High school and college students took to the streets shouting, “No cuts, no fees, education should be free” during the Student Solidarity March for Global Call to Action Day on Saturday.
About 2,500 people gathered and marched throughout Boston, starting in the financial district’s Dewey Square as part of the Occupy Boston movement. Students continued to yell, “This is what democracy looks like” and the “people united will never be defeated” as they marched through Government Center, Newbury Street and back to Dewey Square.
Boston University College of Communication freshman Ross Huston, who was arrested with 141 other Occupy Boston protesters early Tuesday morning, said he was here again because the cause was worthwhile.
“The more people that march for the cause, the better, and I’d like to be one of those people that make a difference,” Huston said.
Caitlin Condon, a sophomore in COM, joined the march, holding a sign that read, “Overturn corporate personage. No body, no rights.” Condon said she started protesting on Monday and has been back frequently since then.
“My big thing is the student part of it,” Condon, who has been helping at the food tent since Monday, said. “I have a lot of friends who can’t go to school because they can’t afford it.”
Cat Corsini, one of the protestors leading the march and a freshman at University of Massachusetts Boston, said she was marching to help make a difference.
“When I got here, the government really screwed over my family,” Corsini said. “They were unfair to disabled veterans and people on welfare who want to go to university.”
Corsini said she spends every night at Occupy Boston after she finishes school.
“Right after my homework, I head over,” she said.
When a bystander asked, “What are you trying to accomplish, kids?” the marchers responded in unison with, “We are the 99 percent!”
“Education is expensive and not everyone can afford it when they should be able to,” said Lauren, a student from Northeastern University who asked to keep her last name anonymous. “It’s important for students to be here and support the cause because we’re a part of the 99 percent.”
Two prep school students, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the only way they could afford to attend such a prestigious school is through financial aid.
“The movement means a lot to me and that’s why I support it,” one of the young women said. “My mom’s poor and scrubs toilets and I’m poor too.”
Her classmate said she agreed.
“We’re on financial aid, but financial aid will only take you so far,” she said.
Condon said that although it is unclear how long protesters are allowed to remain in Dewey Square, the movement will continue. However, she acknowledged the challenges associated with the movement.
“It’s hard because with 99 percent of people, you have a spectrum of beliefs,” she said.
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